Hal Steinbrenner 'shocked' by Randolph firing

Yankees co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner, speaking today from the DHL All-Star FanFest Sneak Preview in New York City, was "shocked'' by the news that Mets manager Willie Randolph was fired early this morning in Anaheim, Calif.

"I think this is a shock for all of us,'' Steinbrenner said. "Quite frankly I'm not too familiar with all the details. But it was a shock."

When asked whether Randolph could wind up back on the Yankees' coaching staff in the near future, Steinbrenner said: "It's not the time to even talk about that or consider that."

How about honoring Randolph, who was to be a coach for the NL squad, at the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium?

"Willie's been a Yankee for a lot of years and he's a great man. We need to let all the dust settle and see what happens here and go from there."